NBA: Paul George, 9 times All-Star, suspended 25 games for violating anti-drug protocol

New blow for Philadelphia. While the 76ers were relaunching in the NBA after a complicated start to the season, they will be deprived of their winger Paul George for 25 games. The former Indiana and Los Angeles Clippers player was suspended for violating the NBA’s anti-drug rules.

With ESPN, the player, nine times All-Star between 2013 and 2024, admits to having made a mistake. “In recent years, I have spoken about the importance of mental health. In my journey, in order to find treatment for a personal problem, I made the mistake of taking the wrong medication, he regrets. I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the 76ers, my teammates and Philly fans for this poor choice. »

A recurring sanction in the NBA

Paul George will therefore be sidelined for a month and a half since he will not reunite with his teammates until March 25. A big loss for Philadelphia, 6th in the Eastern Conference and a real pain point since the return to form of its MVP Joel Embiid.

Suspensions of this type are not uncommon in the NBA. Last season, Bobby Portis, of the Milwaukee Bucks, also suffered the same punishment for the same reasons. Several athletes, including four-time Olympic champion Kevin Durant, have even already admitted to regularly using drugs, with a preference for marijuana, authorized by the NBA since 2023.